研究發現糟糕的建築設計更容易給人帶來壓力，從而影響人們的心理健康。世界上有些城市已經在城市規劃中要求建築周圍要融入自然景觀。一位英國設計師認為英國的建築物過於乏味，希望建築師們對此作出改變。然而，倫敦 “對講機大樓” 的建築經驗證明，讓建築物變得有趣並非易事。本文討論建築設計對人心理健康的影響。
詞匯：buildings 建築
More than half the world’s population are city dwellers, and, by 2050, the United Nations predicts that seven in ten people will be. With that in mind, architects are having to consider how architecture influences our emotional wellbeing in urban settings.
According to Colin Ellard, a research psychologist at Waterloo University, Canada, there is a lot of evidence which shows “the profound impact that the design of buildings has on how we feel, how we treat one another, and our overall psychological well-being”. A study from the University of Heidelberg concluded that people raised in the countryside are less likely to have mental disorders than those raised in the city. The city of Vancouver in Canada, which is surrounded by mountains and ocean, recognises this need to connect with nature. It has included protecting ocean and mountain views in its urban planning guidelines. For example, tall buildings are erected in strategic locations that don’t block scenic views for downtown residents.
The British designer Thomas Heatherwick wants to make architecture less soulless and boring. He told the Guardian newspaper, “We need to fearlessly demand interestingness… and make buildings that nourish our senses.” He has written a new book, Humanise, where he lists seven characteristics of a boring building. These include being too flat and straight. He says lack of depth means light and shadow cannot play on surfaces, while straight lines are at odds with nature and make buildings monotonous.
However, making buildings interesting is not always easy, as architect Rafael Vinoly found out in 2013 when he created the 37-storey skyscraper known as the Walkie Talkie in London. The building was admired for its curved exterior walls covered in reflective glass. However, it acted like a magnifying glass and reflected light which melted nearby cars and almost set fire to a carpet. A screen had to be added to prevent the building causing further damage.
So, for your own wellbeing, surround yourself with buildings that bring you joy, and ideally a view of nature.
詞匯表
dweller 居民
architect 建築師
architecture 建築物
design 設計
urban planning 城市規劃
erect 建造
strategic 有策略的，經過悉心規劃的
downtown 市中心的
resident 居民
soulless 毫無生趣的
interestingness 有趣之處，趣味性
lack of depth 缺乏深度（此處指建築表面缺乏起伏變化）
surface （建築的）表面
line 線條
monotonous 一成不變的，單調乏味的
storey 樓層
skyscraper 摩天大樓
curved 曲面的，有弧線的
exterior wall 建築外墻
screen 隔擋，擋板
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What did the University of Heidelberg study conclude?
2. What has Vancouver included in its urban planning guidelines?
3. What does Heatherwick think buildings should do to our senses?
4. True or False? Heatherwick believes buildings should have a lack of depth.
5. What was the problem with the Walkie Talkie?
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. In his studio, he’s put a _______ up between the kitchen and bedroom.
nature dweller surface screen
2. I couldn’t live in the countryside. I prefer _______ living.
curved soulless urban bland
3. Anna dislikes the architecture of the town. She says the buildings are _______.
exterior strategic monotonous downtown
4. Craig’s been working as an _______ for many years now.
dweller architecture architect urban planning
5. The building has _______. It almost changes shape depending on the sunlight.
well-being depth skyscrapers line
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What did the University of Heidelberg study conclude?
People raised in the countryside are less likely to have mental disorders than those raised in the city.
2. What has Vancouver included in its urban planning guidelines?
Vancouver has included protecting ocean and mountain views in its urban planning guidelines.
3. What does Heatherwick think buildings should do to our sense?
He told the Guardian newspaper, “We need to … make buildings that nourish our senses.”
4. True or False? Heatherwick believes buildings should have a lack of depth.
False. He says lack of depth means light and shadow cannot play on surfaces.
5. What was the problem with the Walkie Talkie?
It acted like a magnifying glass and reflected light which melted nearby cars and almost set fire to a carpet.
2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。
1. In his studio, he’s put a screen up between the kitchen and bedroom.
2. I couldn’t live in the countryside. I prefer urban living.
3. Anna dislikes the architecture of the town. She says the buildings are monotonous.
4. Craig’s been working as an architect for many years now.
5. The building has depth. It almost changes shape depending on the sunlight.
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